IT has been a busy few weeks for Pioneer 79 Swimming Club capped off by winning the Bolton and District Mini League final for the second successive year.

It followed another impressive team performance at the North West Micro League Division ‘A’ finals where they pushed national winners Southport all the way as Pioneer clinched second place.

Coach John McGinty said; “I would like to congratulate all swimmers on an excellent record breaking weekend.

“The results bare testament to the hard work and dedication Pioneer 79 swimmers, teachers and coaches have put in to developing the skills and disciplines needed to race at the highest level.”

At the Bolton and District League final in Salford, Pioneer powered to glory, finishing with 135 points, 21 points ahead of second-placed Worsley.

The previous night, Pioneer headed for Blackpool for the North West Micro League finals. Having qualified in third place, Pioneer stepped up a gear to finish just 27.5 points behind Southport, Nort West winners for the previous five years.

Meanwhile, four swimmers, representing Gallica, took part in recent national finals.

At the National Age Groups, William Beavan, 11, competed in three individual events, setting personal best times in the IM (5.40.07) and also the in the 200m breastroke (3.01.07) where he finished in 10th place in the final.

He also competed in the 100m breaststroke.

Connor Makin, 14, swam in the 200m breaststroke, finishing in a time of 2.39.41.

Both swam in the Gallica replay teams.

At the National Youth Championships, Karmen Hammonds, 14, qualified for two races and competed in the 200m backstroke (2.31.17) and 100m backstroke (1.07.94) Amelia Candon, also, 14, reached the semi final of the 200m backstroke, finishing in 16th place overall in a time of 2.22.64.

She also competed in 400m freestyle (4.38.65), 200m freestyle (2.12.68), 100m backstroke (1.06.85) and also helped the 4x100m medley relay team to seventh place overall.

Her efforts over the season saw her selected to progress on to the ASA Level 2 Talent Development Programme.